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Medium Format Camera recommendation

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tesla23

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I would like to shoot Medium Format in film and would like to get a recommendation on what camera to get and why. Thanks in advance.

My photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/derpap/
 
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mrgs1 said:
http://asildaphotography.com/how-to-choose-your-first-medium-format-camera
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Contents at the link was interesting to read but (for me) provided very minimal useful information regarding specific recommendations and reasons why. However, this is perhaps because I have owned and used several different medium Format Cameras over 60+ years using film Cameras.

I always fully tested each camera before purchasing. I continue to own some of the best of my selections which are 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 but my actual format preferences were 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 but I could never find my choice of cameras with that format size.
 
Lot's of more info needed, like do you want 6x7, 6x6, 4x6. I have a Mamiya 645 that I shoot most of my MF film projects with. Mamiya MF film camera's are known for being relatively good quality compared to other MF cameras and won't break the bank like a Hasselblad will. I say google the heck out of it to see what do you want.
 
crewchief227 said:
Lot's of more info needed, like do you want 6x7, 6x6, 4x6. I have a Mamiya 645 that I shoot most of my MF film projects with. Mamiya MF film camera's are known for being relatively good quality compared to other MF cameras and won't break the bank like a Hasselblad will. I say google the heck out of it to see what do you want.
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If you are considering used:

I would look at an old standby, a Hasse 6X6, just don't drop it. A TLR Rollei would be a more reliable camera and has parallax and a fixed lens. Test the leaf shutters.

For tripod work, I would consider a Mamaya 6X7 or a 4X5 view camera with a 6X9 roll film back for tilts and swings.

Have fun shooting film.

Jeff
 
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My medium format film experience started with a Bronica ETRS (6X4.5cm) outfit with metering prisms and speed grips and 40mm, 75mm, 150mm, 250mm & 500mm lenses. They are great cameras and the lenses are sharp and have electronic leaf shutters which are accurate in shutter speed. The only draw back was having to tilt the camera to do vertical format images.

I then moved to a Hasselblad (V) (6x6cm) system with a 500CM and a 500ELX both with grips and prism finders together with 50mm, 80mm 150mm, & 250mm lenses. The 500ELX did OTF flash metering using Metz flash units - brilliant for fill-in flash in combination with the leaf shuttered lenses. The best thing about the 'Blad' is not having to tilt the camera on its side to do a vertical format image. Being square format you simply 'cropped' in camera using the lines marked on the ground glass focusing sreen. This also enabled me to use a custom made flashgun bracket that put the flash head over the top an inline with the lenses. It was high enough to avoid red-eye and it meant the shadows fell behind the subject. What I'd for a square format MF Digital camera today.

For studio work I also had a Mamiya RZ67 (6x7cm) system. These were great cameras because they have rotating film backs which automatically mask off the focusing screen to show whether you are shooting 'landscape' or 'portrait' format. The 6x7 format was also very close to the 8x10 aspect ratio which made printing easier.

I sold all that gear when I could see that 'digital' was going to supersede film technology.

Years later though, after getting back into photography in the digital era, I saw a Bronica GS-1 system going cheaply. It had 3 bodies, waste-level and 2 metering prism finders two speed grips, about 8 film backs and 50mm, 80mm, 100mm 150mm, 200mm and 250mm lenses.

You can't go wrong with any of the MF cameras but the pick of the bunch is Hasselblad.

I probably should have mentioned the Fuji GX-680. That gives you tilt/shift as well!
 
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crewchief227 said:
Lot's of more info needed, like do you want 6x7, 6x6, 4x6. I have a Mamiya 645 that I shoot most of my MF film projects with. Mamiya MF film camera's are known for being relatively good quality compared to other MF cameras and won't break the bank like a Hasselblad will. I say google the heck out of it to see what do you want.
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SLR recommendations:

most versatile: Hasselblad 500 C/M (interchable backs and viewfinders, huge range of lenses, relatively compact, and there aredigital backs available.

For tripod use mostly (because of weight and size): Mamiya RZ67 II. Like the Hasselblad it has interchangable back, viewfinders, and a large rangeof excellent lenses.-

Primarily for landscape and outdoor work: Pentax 67 II. Its shaped like 35mm SLR and has a small range of interchangable viewfinders. The lenses are superb at asgood if not better than the Zeiss lenses used by Hasselblad. The one downside is tjat if you use electronic flash the maximum shutter-sync speed is 1/30.

(Pentax 67 trivia: the first two photographers in tje USA to own and shoot with the Pentax 67 were Hiro and Diane Arbus.)

Twin Lens Reflex:

Rollei or Mamiya. The Rollei bodies are smaller than the Mamiya TLRs but lack the Mamiya's capability to switch between a wide, normal, and short telephoto lens.

Rangefinders:

Fuji made both small 6x4.5 rangefinders tjat are reallynicebut Inever liked the 6x4.5 format, and also some great 6x7cm, 6x9cm rangefinder cameras, andalso the G617 series of 6x17cm panoramic cameras.

of you don'talways working froma tripod and shoot architecture, landscapes and still life consider a medium format view camera: either the Arca-Swiss 69FC or Linhof TK69, although every 4x5 view camera I ever used also took medium format backs..


Ellis Vener
Free your eyes and the rest will follow. (With apologies to George Clinton.)
 
As others have posted, there are many choices of medium format film cameras. I use Hasselblad V in my life, and still have two bodies and 7 lenses, including a zoom.

Used Hasselblad gear is becoming dirt cheap. Recently many items are difficult to find. But the "BAY" still have quite many selling offers. Note that a "major" difference between the bodies is "C" vs "CF"; C is Compur Shutter only, can only use lenses with the "C" option, e.g. C, CF, ... lenses. While CF bodies can use most of the lenses. Also there are specific restrictions on using digital CFV backs.

Here is more details: http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/hs/hstable.aspx

Best, Steven
tesla23 said:
I would like to shoot Medium Format in film and would like to get a recommendation on what camera to get and why. Thanks in advance.

My photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/derpap/
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You have to figure out what you want from the format, as there are many different iterations. So, let's start with the categories:

1. System:

6x6: Hassleblad 500 cm if money is no object.

6x6: Bronica Sq-A if you're on a budget. This has the advantage of having cheap accessories, too, like a speedgrip and a hot shoe. Later PS lenses are very sharp, but the earlier Zenzanon S lenses aren't exactly slouches, either.

6x7: Mamiya RB67.

2. Portable:

Fujifilm gf670

Fujifilm gw690

Mamiya 6

3. WIldcard:

Rolleiflex
 
I had the same question a while ago. I shopped around and found a RB67 ProS with the 90mm lens for less than my budget and I am very happy with it.
 
I looked at your pictures - congratulations. If you want to use your MF similarly I would recommend a Mamiya 7 or 7II.

933b76ed0c244a00b892f690cb128ba5.jpg

Photo from: http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Mamiya/Mamiya-7.html

--
- Alfred
 
tesla23 said:
I would like to shoot Medium Format in film and would like to get a recommendation on what camera to get and why. Thanks in advance.
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1) What's your budget?

2) What do you plan to shoot with the MF camera?

3) Are you looking to shoot square or rectangle?
 
If you are looking at the smaller MF size of 645, I'd look at the Pentax 645 or 645n. Solid camera. 16 shots on 120 and 33 on 220. For larger MF, take a look at the Pentax 67, Mamiya RB67 or RZ67.

I've used the RB67 for many years. Incredible results can be had with it. The 110 f2.8 on the RZ is magic for portraits....as is the 105 f2.4 on the Pentax 67
 
The Davinator said:
If you are looking at the smaller MF size of 645, I'd look at the Pentax 645 or 645n. Solid camera. 16 shots on 120 and 33 on 220. For larger MF, take a look at the Pentax 67, Mamiya RB67 or RZ67.

I've used the RB67 for many years. Incredible results can be had with it. The 110 f2.8 on the RZ is magic for portraits....as is the 105 f2.4 on the Pentax 67
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Even me too was thinking and researching for a reasonably affordable & reliable Medium Format. You gave the best options, as always you do, thanks you and appreciate it.
 
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The Bronica cameras and lenses are excellent and represent amazing value for money today.

They made 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 models of their SLR's and a 6x4.5 rangefinder model.

Hasselblad were the 'Rolls Royce' of cameras but most were used by pros and have had a hard life! Buy carefully.

The Rolleiflex is another great camera but limited with the fixed lens and the focus mechanism wears and in turn can lead to problems with the lens panel alignment.

Many options - decide what features are important to you, how much you want to spend and go from there.
 
COYQ said:
The Bronica cameras and lenses are excellent and represent amazing value for money today.

They made 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 models of their SLR's and a 6x4.5 rangefinder model.

Hasselblad were the 'Rolls Royce' of cameras but most were used by pros and have had a hard life! Buy carefully.

The Rolleiflex is another great camera but limited with the fixed lens and the focus mechanism wears and in turn can lead to problems with the lens panel alignment.

Many options - decide what features are important to you, how much you want to spend and go from there.
Click to expand...
Bronica GS1 was 6x7 they never made a 6x9
 
mrgs1 said:
COYQ said:
The Bronica cameras and lenses are excellent and represent amazing value for money today.

They made 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 models of their SLR's and a 6x4.5 rangefinder model.

Hasselblad were the 'Rolls Royce' of cameras but most were used by pros and have had a hard life! Buy carefully.

The Rolleiflex is another great camera but limited with the fixed lens and the focus mechanism wears and in turn can lead to problems with the lens panel alignment.

Many options - decide what features are important to you, how much you want to spend and go from there.
Click to expand...
Bronica GS1 was 6x7 they never made a 6x9
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I dont recall a Bronica 6x9 either...but I cant say for certain as I never really followed Bronica
 
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